Associate Assistant Head – Coaching and Professional Development

We are seeking an inspirational and experienced leader to join our senior leadership team as an Associate Assistant Headteacher. This is a key role supporting the strategic direction of the school while ensuring the highest standards of teaching, learning, and pastoral care for our pupils. The successful candidate will work closely with the Headteacher and senior leaders to drive school improvement, champion inclusive practice, and support staff development across the school.

Responsibilities

• Lead and embed a coaching culture that strengthens teaching quality and accelerates staff growth at every career stage.
• Design, deliver and evaluate a coherent, evidence-informed Professional Development (PD) programme aligned to school priorities.
• Improve classroom practice through high-impact coaching, instructional feedback, and precise development pathways (ECT, ITT, Early Career, developing and expert teachers, and support staff).
• Assure the quality of CPD and its impact on pupil progress, inclusion and wellbeing.
• Establish and quality-assure coaching cycles (diagnose model deliberate practice in-class feedback review). Provide instructional coaching and/or mentoring for identified staff (ECTs, new staff, colleagues requiring support, aspiring leaders).
• Curate and deliver evidence-informed CPD – relevant and appropriate for our context.
• Commission external expertise as appropriate.
• Ensure CPD is accessible and inclusive.
• Define impact measures.
• Report regularly to SLT/Governors on implementation, participation, and outcomes; refine provision in response to evidence.
• Lead/coordinate teaching & learning reviews, peer observations, and moderation linked to PD priorities.
• Line-manage designated staff (e.g., mentors/ECTs/cover HLTA), setting clear objectives and providing supportive challenge.
• Oversee ECT/ITT: induction quality, mentor training, fidelity to statutory requirements, and timely assessment points.
• Manage and support progression and succession planning.
• Maintain robust CPD systems.
• Ensure safeguarding, health & safety, data protection.
• Champion a learning culture: psychological safety, collaboration, reflective practice, and professional curiosity.
• Work with curriculum leads, curriculum block groups, SENCO, behaviour leads and senior leaders to align PD with curriculum, SEND provision, behaviour and wellbeing.

Qualifications

• Holds Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• Has leadership experience.
• Is passionate about education.
• Has experience working within a special school or specialist provision.
• Has strong knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice.
• Has excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Is passionate about inclusion and improving outcomes for vulnerable learners.

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